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Many have made ascertaining Bible authority a very confusing subject. Without a doubt, it can be
a very involved study, but not one that should discourage us from learning what God has
authorized in His Word. A large dose of common sense is always helpful, plus a few basic rules,
especially the rule of context. At the very least, let us remember that God means what He
says, and has not made Bible understanding impossible. In most cases, readers of the Bible need
help in misunderstanding what God has said.
Such is the case with understanding what God has said regarding the avenue of worship in song. To use or not to use mechanical instruments of music in our worship to God is not the question! The real question is, do you understand what "sing" means? If we will slow down, read the words of the Bible, and take them at their basic meaning, 99 percent of the time we will understand just what God wants and means. If we look closely to what the Bible "says" we will, most of the time, learn what the Bible "teaches" about most things with very little "interpretation" needed. And guess what? We will come to the same conclusions, unless we desire to add to or take away from the simple words of the Bible. So, what does the Bible "say" about singing and using instruments of music in worship to God? First — and indeed the easiest — the Bible does not "say" anything about using mechanical instruments of music in worship. In fact, the word "play" (as one might play an instrument) does not appear in the New Testament associated with instruments. It is found once with reference to the antics of ancient Israel and their idolatry in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:7). The word "playing" is found twice, but does not refer to worship, but the actions of people making noise at a funeral. Although such information ought to satisfy the honest and good heart, many are not pleased with this. Too many want to "read into" the New Testament text other things so that they will be able to offer to God a worship of their own making. Since God created us to worship Him, and since He prescribed what worship is to be, common sense should tell us that God will not accept a worship of our own making. What then does the Bible "teach" about using mechanical instruments of music in worship? By virtue of the fact that God does not mention them, we ought to conclude that to include them would be adding to God's words. Indeed, this is what the Bible teaches. To use them is to add to God's word, and is thus sinful and unacceptable to Him. Why would anyone want to do that? The soul that desires to please the Lord will not add to His Word! What then does the Bible "say" about "singing" in worship? Well, the word for "sing" appears seven times in the New Testament, "singing" is found only three times, and "sung" is found twice. Those references that depict, or are associated with worship, are Acts 16:25; Romans 15:9; 1 Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12 and James 5:13. The reader is encouraged to look up these references. Two references deal with Jesus and His apostles before His death (thus, before the New Testament church of Christ came into being) and are associated with the Passover celebration, and another three are found in the book of Revelation depicting what may be taking place in Heaven — not what is done in worship on earth. These are highly symbolic. The Bible and its words are very precise. Men did not choose the words to be used, God did. "Every word of God is tried: He is a shield unto them that take refuge in him" (Proverbs 30:5 ASV). What the Bible says is found in the words that God chose to communicate with us. So, when we find Him telling us to sing, we do not play. Technically, we cannot "play" a song. We can only "play" a tune. A song is by definition "a composition of verse for singing." Thus we can "sing" a song, but we "play" tunes on instruments. What did God command? "Speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord" (Ephesians 5:19 ASV). And again, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms [and] hymns [and] spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God" (Colossians 3:16 ASV). A mechanical instrument cannot speak, sing, make melody with its heart, teach, or admonish. But you can with your voice. The Hebrews writer would put it this way: "Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name" (Hebrews 13:15 ASV). Do you know what "sing" means? It is not something that you can do through your guitar or piano, but is something that God desires you to do with your voice and lips. |